OOC Discussion

Hey, that's awesome! Thanks Jabes for taking the time to weave these items into our characters' stories and our future plans.

You're working hard to make this game as fun as possible for us. But the question on the flipside is just as important. Maybe more so! What can we do to make your DMing experience as fun and entertaining as possible?

It's been so much fun for me all the way! The way you've all been engaging both IC and OOC, and being so helpful and supportive with my DM'ing questions...this group is a dream come true and I literally could not ask for more!

I failed to mention that for the creation of those items (including item features yet to be revealed) I took A LOT of inspiration from Len's magic item generator site!

I struggled with the decision whether to collaborate with you guys on those or not. In the end I decided to do it all myself because I wanted the reveal (and the punchlines) to be a surprise. Hence the probably uneven power levels. Moving forward I intend to collaborate with you to smooth out those kinks.

Oh I do have one request: use your Inspiration points, because I want to keep handing them out like candy. I mean, literally every single post you've contributed to this story has been more than deserving!

Hell yeah, DM Jabes. All known full well that we are all playing fast and loose with history lessons, probably running roughshod over in-depth cultural accuracy at every turn. It's celebration of those cultures I think, not disrespect, and I feel pretty certain no offense taken if there are some inherent mistakes or lack of full understanding, especially not in this crowd. It's just badass to have characters on a "world tour" type feel and let's face it, it's really fun when it is something at that we can at least relate to in real world inspiration so that we can max out our imaginations and "theater of the mind".
These MIs are great. Power levels fine. Power comparability fine. Power equality is always a question that DMs have to be sensitive to I think, so I know why you brought it up. Sometimes that one is difficult to quantify and really judge on, not always so clear and players have a lot of influence on how they use and enjoy items, and that varies player to player. These seem just fine to me though. Plus I don't think this group will have any thought for even one second about something being unfair or imbalanced (is that like Anti-Fox News?).

Captain's Shield is perfect. The Infinity War design version is a great image for this setting. It makes me think of it being from a forgotten civilization of some different tech and workmanship level that is now lost and veiled in mystery - very cool and one of my favorite themes as you may know.

Also, the reference and link for the Ocean Necklace was so hilarious. Reminded me yet again of how much of a disloyal tramp ho Rose was in Titanic. One of the most under-lampooned characters of big blockbusters. Haha!

One thing to put in the paperwork for these magic items is whether or not they require attunement.

I think the items are great. Poweful, maybe, but flavorful and in-tune with each character. That's exactly how I try to handle my magic items when I design them, so I give them two thumbs up!

Thank you for all the input, guys! I hope to see some epic scenes with those items in use!

Rydler finally received his gift! I think that one might be the most powerful of all. I just love how Rydler's whole deal is being a team player and helping his friends!
All of those items require attunement. We will consider your time at Skandrana Varhu temple a Short Rest and so when you leave you are already bonded to your items. Yes, even Ybus, who was supposed to get nekkid for a full Long Rest. Instead, he will be nekkid for an hour at the temple. Luckily, no one bats an eyelash, as many of the devotees were naked while mutilating themselves!

Hole in one, Jabes! While it may be the most powerful, it isn't focused at all on one person, it is spread amongst the whole party. I think you did a great job highlighting Rydler and balancing an item around that. Rydler's item doesn't benefit Rydler at all—and it is absolutely perfect! Kudos to you, my man.

Although I couldn't come up with an appropriate IC response, I was blown away by Urban's reaction to the Captain's Shield and also Baracus reassuring his friend. This exchange would have occurred right before Rydler shows the Golden Child the key.

I edited this post to add the Child's response to Urban, and also to add a question Sashvar poses to Rydler about Chalmun's key.

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I'm glad you like the Wondrous Robin, Hyp! Yeah it took some trial and error, but I finally came up with something that (I think) fits the core of Rydler's character.

I chose to have the item's secondary effect use Rydler's reaction (because reactions don't see as much use as bonus actions) but I now realize a reaction-based effect needs a trigger. Not sure what it should be though. Thoughts, everyone?

Wow, Jabes. B.A. Barracus really makes a great point here. This coolest-shield-in-the-world-thus-far DOES seem to be built for punching. Do you think it would inflict any more than the normal 1d4 damage for improvised weapons?
;)
(Can't hurt to ask, right?)

The 1st bullet point of the Shield Master feat reads:

"If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield."

Now I've always imagined that as a shield bash rather than a simple shove. So houserule: with this feat (or this shield attuned) you get to use your bonus action to deal 1d4+STR damage AND possibly knock the enemy prone.

Daaaang! Thanks, DM. That's freakin awesome.
I feel a little guilty though; I certainly wasn't meaning to campaign for more boost onto the Bonus Action Shove, but I can tell right now that this House Rule is off the charts fun and a total BLAST!

I am now considering changing Urban's standard outfit to: helmet, underwear, cape. Respect that.

I'm also going to figure out some font that I can use that will require you guys read the action as if it is happening in slow motion when Urban is knocking bitches the fuck out with CAPTAIN'S SHIELD!!!

Damn it, there goes my level 5 pirate plan.

Okay, I think I might have gone overboard with that. Definitely deal damage when you shield bash, but no STR mod added to damage. Sound fair?

EDIT: Added to new Houserules thread.

You have access to the luck points while the cigar is in your mouth, lit or unlit. No further activation necessary. You can put it away and still maintain attunement as long as you smoke it once a day. The cigar is not consumed when it is smoked. It does not interfere with verbal or somatic spell components.

Yo, DM Jabes. Sorry for my slow response, but here it is: adding 1d4 to Shove is MORE THAN fair. It's favorable and advantageous!

I don't want to talk you out of it, but please know I'm good if you want to adjust even downward from there. I always consider House Rules trial runs or works in progress. They can come and go. You know from experience that I test balloon those for a second here and there, but then cancel them if they show signs of lameness. Ha!

Captain Shield is a great asset as it is. My original post that started this was more a tongue-in-cheek appeal, piggy-backing on Barracus's observation that the shield looked good for punching. I wanted to toss it at you, "Yeeeahh. True, DM. That shield DOES look like a weapon. Do you think it's so awesome that it might do more than 1d4 when used in an Attack?"

I had not thought of the Shove angle at all, and even my question about the attack damage was intended as much as a joke as a real appeal, trying to put you in the role of the DM when you give players something and then they still ask for a little more, always testing the waters to see what the DM might give, always pressing the borders for more advantage. Ha! That doesn't happen all the time, but with some players it happens quite a lot, enough to be a trend that I have come to know that it's part of the game culture at some level. With some it's harmless - they are kind of doing it as a joke too. With others, it get a little annoying because they are really trying to play you out. So you have to think it out how to handle it, I think to not overreact on one extreme but also not to give away the farm and placate on the other extreme.

But anyway...that was a long commentary, unsolicited too.

On all things related to Captain Shield, Shield Attack, Shove Action - I'm all good with anything you say. I intend to cause a real scene with Captain's Shield no matter what the mechanics are. Whoooo!

Will Erdan have to face a CON save every year for lung cancer or mouth cancer?
Did that cigar come with a warning label detailing the health risks?
If not, I think Erdan would have grounds to sue this temple if he ever faces any health problems in the long run.

Haha no, we're all good, J! Full disclosure: a lot of this is wish fulfillment for me (is that a DM'ing pitfall I should be avoiding?) in the sense that I've always wanted to do that as a PC and always wished 5e mechanics allowed for it.

I'll probably tackle grappling next, because I'm very dissatisfied with how 5e handles it (though also hated how fiddly 3.5e's grappling rules were).

I must confess I'm not well enough versed on spellcasting mechanics to have any sort of informed complaint, let alone ideas for "improvement."

Rest assured, I'm never going to look at the rules and say, "Yeah that's too powerful, you'll break the game. We're gonna nerf that." It's always gonna be Rule of Cool here.

Never gonna do that to RAW, I should've said. As we've seen, I will do it to my own rulings.

Short Version: You're the DM, fuck rules.

Long Version: I believe I have stated this before but in either case, my favorite part of the DMG:
In other words. As a player, we are bound to follow the rules as written because they are the rules as written. As a DM though, the only rule you follow is rule number 1: there are no rules. Or something like that. In the DMG there are no rulings on sentient poop, doesn't mean you can't add them into your world; you're the DM sentient poops can be the rulers of the world, if you so wish. That is what's so great about being a DM, you get to fulfill all those wishes and ideas that you have as a player that never come to fruition.

As it happens, your next encounter is going to be sentient poop. No, really! :-D

Thanks, Hyp. As a player I've always respected DM Fiat but now that I'm in the big chair I fear to toe the borderline of tyranny (Pharaoh meme notwithstanding)

My take on DM fiat in regards to RAW is this:

The DM should only make changes to RAW in mid-game that benefit the players. There is nothing that ruins fun more than understanding the rules and what they allow you to do and then having the DM arbitrarily take that away from you.

All RAW changes that are made that may negatively impact the players should be gone over before they are implemented.